Discoms get GERC nod to hand out LED bulbs under Ujala

Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has accorded approval in-principle to state-run, as well as private power distribution companies in Gujarat, for implementation of Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), which is now known as Ujala. As part of the scheme, these power discoms (electricity distribution companies) will provide LED bulbs to consumers in their respective service areas.Launched in January 2015, Ujala (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) is aimed at replacing 77 crore incandescent lamps with LED bulbs, and is currently running successfully across 12 states in India.According to the Union minister of power’s Ujala dashboard, more than 10 crore LED bulbs have so far been distributed across the country, and Gujarat will see the formal launch of the scheme by chief minister Anandiben Patel on May 26, 2016.The state power regulator has given its go ahead to state-owned Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (UGVCL), Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL), Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) and Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL) and private sector Torrent Power Ltd to hand out the LED bulbs. Torrent Power supplies power to Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Surat.The implementation of the scheme would result in savings of Rs 2,058.98 crore per annum on energy bills of state-run discom consumers, while the savings in case of Torrent Power’s consumers are estimated to be Rs433.46 crore per annum.The discoms have been asked to procure LED bulbs through competitive bidding. According to the conditions laid down by GERC, the cost per bulb should be Rs 90.60 in case of up front payment, and Rs95.60 per bulb in on billing financing (OBF) option.Residential consumers will be eligible to purchase a maximum of 10 bulbs and the discoms will provide financial support of Rs10 per bulb to them. However, there is no compulsion on consumers to opt for the schemes.